Abstract
NiO-SnO2 composite nanofibers were synthesized via electrospinning techniques and characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Three types of sensor were applied to investigate the sensing properties of these nanofibers. Sensors A were fabricated by mixing the nanofibers with deionized water, and then grinding and coating them on ceramic tubes to form indirect heated gas sensors. Microsensors B (with an area of 600 μm×200 μm) were formed by spinning nanofibers on Si substrates with Pt signal electrodes and Pt heaters. Sensors C were fabricated by spinning nanofibers on plane ceramic substrates (with a large area of 13.4 mm×7 mm) with Ag-Pd signal electrodes only. The operating temperatures of sensors A and B were controlled by adjusting heater currents, and the operating temperatures of sensors C were controlled by adjusting an external temperature control device. Experimental results show that sensors C possess the highest sensing properties, such as high response values (about 42 to 100 μL/L ethanol), quick response/recovery speeds (the response and recovery times were 4 and 7 s, respectively), and excellent consistencies. These phenomena were explained by the retained fiber morphology and suitable sensor area. The presented results can provide some useful information for the design and optimization of one-dimensional nanomaterial-based gas sensors.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Janata J, Josowicz M, Devaney D M. Chemical sensors. Anal Chem, 1994, 66: 207–228
Liu L, Zhang T, Li S C, et al. Micro-structure sensors based on ZnO microcrystals with contact-controlled ethanol sensing. Chin Sci Bull, 2009, 54: 4371–4375
Lei H, Yi L. Improved acetone sensing properties of flat sensors based on Co-SnO2 composite nanofibers. Chin Sci Bull, 2011, 56: 2644–2648
Albert S, Viricelle J P, Tournier G, et al. Detection of oxygen traces in nitrogen- and hydrogen-rich atmosphere. Sens Actuator B-Chem, 2009, 139: 298–303
Ali M, Wang C Y, Röhlig C C, et al. NOx sensing properties of In2O3 thin films grown by MOCVD. Sens Actuator B-Chem, 2008, 129: 467–472
Plashnitsa V V, Ueda T, Elumalai P, et al. Zirconia-based planar NO2 sensor using ultrathin NiO or laminated NiO-Au sensing electrode. Ionics, 2008, 14: 15–25
Barsan N, Koziej D, Weimar U. Barsan N, Koziej D, Weimar U. Metal oxide-based gas sensor research: How to? Sens Actuator B-Chem, 2007, 121: 18–35
Neri G, Bonavita A, Micali G, et al. Resistive CO gas sensors based on In2O3 and InSnOx nanopowders synthesized via starch-aided sol-gel process for automotive applications. Sens Actuator B-Chem, 2008, 132: 224–233
Sahm T, Mädler L, Gurlo A, et al. Flame spray synthesis of tin dioxide nanoparticles for gas sensing. Sens Actuator B-Chem, 2004, 98: 148–153
Kong J, Franklin N R, Zhou C, et al. Nanotube molecular wires as chemical sensors. Science, 2000, 287: 622–625
Qi P, Vermesh O, Grecu M, et al. Toward large arrays of multiplex functionalized carbon nanotube sensors for highly sensitive and selective molecular detection. Nano Lett, 2003, 3: 347–351
Franke M E, Koplin T J, Simon U. Metal and metal oxide nanoparticles in chemiresistors: Does the nanoscale matter? Small, 2006, 2: 36–50
Kolmakov A, Moskovits M. Chemical sensing and catalysis by one-dimensional metal-oxide nanostructures. Annu Rev Mater Res, 2004, 34: 151–180
Hao R C, Li D C. Theoretical and experimental study on magnetic-fluid-based flow sensors. Chin Sci Bull, 2011, 56: 1844–1847
Li J J, Zhang X T, Chen Y H, et al. Synthesis of highly ordered SnO2/Fe2O3 composite nanowires arrays by electrophoretic deposition method. Chin Sci Bull, 2005, 50: 1044–1047
Zhu B L, Sui Z M, Chen X, et al. Synthesis of gold-doped TiO2 nanotubes. Chin Sci Bull, 2005, 50: 711–713
Ge J P, Wang J, Zhang H X, et al. High ethanol sensitive SnO2 microspheres. Sens Actuator B-Chem, 2006, 113: 937–943
Liang Y X, Chen Y J, Wang T H. Low-resistance gas sensors fabricated from multiwalled carbon nanotubes coated with a thin tin oxide layer. Appl Phys Lett, 2004, 85: 666–668
Qi Q, Zhang T, Liu L, et al. Selective acetone sensor based on dumbbell-like ZnO with rapid response and recovery. Sens Actuator B-Chem, 2008, 134: 166–170
Kuang Q, Lao C, Wang Z L, et al. High-sensitivity humidity sensor based on a single SnO2 nanowire. J Am Chem Soc, 2007, 129: 6070–6071
Li Q H, Liang Y X, Wan Q, et al. Oxygen sensing characteristics of individual ZnO nanowire transistors. Appl Phys Lett, 2004, 85: 6389–6391
Kolmakov A, Zhang Y, Cheng G, et al. Detection of CO and O2 using tin oxide nanowire sensors. Adv Mater, 2005, 15: 977–1000
Greiner A, Wendorff J H. Electrospinning: A fascinating method for the preparation of ultrathin fibers. Angew Chem Int Ed, 2007, 46: 5670–5703
Kim S K, Hwang S H, Chang D, et al. Preparation of mesoporous In2O3 nanofibers by electrospinning and their application as a CO gas sensor. Sens Actuator B-Chem, 2010, 149: 28–33
Zhang H, Li Z, Liu L, et al. Enhancement of hydrogen monitoring properties based on Pd-SnO2 composite nanofibers. Sens Actuator B-Chem, 2010, 147: 111–115
Lee S M, Dyer D C, Gardner J W. Design and optimization of a high-temperature silicon micro-hotplate for nanoporous palladium pellistors. Microelectron J, 2003, 34: 115–126
Gall M. The Si planar pellistor: A low-power pellistor sensor in Si thin-film technology. Sens Actuator B-Chem, 1991, 4: 533–538
Zhang T, Liu L, Qi Q, et al. Development of microstructure In/Pd-doped SnO2 sensor for low-level CO detection. Sens Actuator B-Chem, 2009, 139: 287–291
Zhang D, Liu Z, Li C, et al. Detection of NO2 down to ppb levels using individual and multiple In2O3 nanowire devices. Nano Lett, 2004, 4: 1919–1924
Epifani M, Comini E, Díaz R, et al. Oxide nanopowders from the low-temperature processing of metal oxide sols and their application as gas-sensing materials. Sens Actuator B-Chem, 2006, 118: 105–109
Vasilkov A Y, Nikolaev S A, Smirnov V V, et al. An XPS study of the synergetic effect of gold and nickel supported on SiO2 in the catalytic isomerization of allylbenzene. Mendeleev Commun, 2007, 17: 268–270
Khyzhun O, Sygellou L, Ladas S. Interfacial oxidation of ultrathin nickel and chromium films on yttria-stabilized zirconia. J Phys Chem B, 2005, 109: 2302–2306
Liu X F, Yu R H. Mediation of room temperature ferromagnetism in Co-doped SnO nanocrystalline films by structural defects. J Appl Phys, 2007, 102: 083917
Windischmann H, Mark P. A model for the operation of a thin films tin oxide conductance modulation carbon monoxide sensor. J Electrochem Soc, 1979, 126: 627–630
Jain K, Pant R P, Lakshmikumar S T. Effect of Ni doping on thick film SnO2 gas sensor. Sens Actuator B-Chem, 2006, 113: 823–829
Baek K K, Tuller H L. Electronic characterization of ZnO/CuO heterojunctions. Sens Actuator B-Chem, 1993, 13: 238–240
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com
Rights and permissions
This article is published under an open access license. Please check the 'Copyright Information' section either on this page or in the PDF for details of this license and what re-use is permitted. If your intended use exceeds what is permitted by the license or if you are unable to locate the licence and re-use information, please contact the Rights and Permissions team.
About this article
Cite this article
Shen, R., Li, X., Xia, X. et al. Comparative investigation of three types of ethanol sensor based on NiO-SnO2 composite nanofibers. Chin. Sci. Bull. 57, 2087–2093 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-012-5105-3
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-012-5105-3